Jewel

He was dressed in black tights and a bright red, unbelted silk kimono that trailed gracefully on the floor behind him. Soft black suede slippers muted all sound of his footfalls. His wrists and throat were encircled with the same black suede, the leash likewise soft black leather. His long, silky black hair was braided down his back, tied off with another flash of red silk. Under the kimono, his bronze chest was naked, but tattooed around his left nipple was the logo of the company owned and operated by his master. His strongly planed face had just a hint of make-up; a shadowing of his dark, Asian eyes, a slight crimsoning of his cheekbones and lips. But the pupils of those eyes were dilated, good indication that he was under the influence of some chemical concoction.

He moved with feline grace, one step behind and to the left of his owner. His gaze swept over everything, lingering on nothing – until Calvario spoke to him. Then he was all devoted, submissive attention. Whenever Calvario stopped to engage in a conversation, he immediately dropped to his knees, sitting back on his heels, his arms moving to rest behind his back, left hand grasping right wrist. And if some passerby touched the bound silk of his hair, or let fingertips glide over the material covering his arms or back, his eyes closed and he gave a brief nod of gracious acknowledgement.

Kamikaze. Sulu Takeda. The young man who had been Jade’s patient for a year nearly five years before, a desperate addict who was falling into one chemical trap after another. The junkie whore Ruis Calvario had paid an exorbitant amount to clean up. He had been barely eighteen then. He had finished the maturation process well.

Jade made her way over to Calvario. The older Spaniard looked much the same, handsome, debonair, not a hint of grey in his dark hair though he was over sixty years old. He held Kamikaze’s leash with an air of assured authority, languid, almost casual.

“Ruis,” Jade said as she caught his eye.

“Dr. Han!” Calvario exclaimed. Jade glanced at his pet, but Sulu didn’t even look up. “What a pleasant surprise. It has been nearly five years, has it not?”

“Yes,” Jade agreed. “I thought that was you coming in. How have you been?”

“Quite well, thank you, Doctor. And you?”

“Very busy. Having you on my referral list has been a great asset.” She smiled. “But I suspect you know that.”

He chuckled. “I have heard my name opens many doors,” he replied. “I am gratified it has proven helpful to you.”

“And my patient?” Jade asked, carefully oblique in the reference.

Calvario frowned. “Not doing as well, long-term, as we had hoped. Perhaps it is fate that has sent you to me again, hmm?”

“I can certainly make a consultation if you wish, Ruis,” Jade offered.

“How kind of you, Doctor. I believe that would be most advantageous. Perhaps we can arrange something later this evening?”

“I think that will be convenient for me.” She took a carefully disguised deep breath, and reached down to gently touch Sulu’s down-turned face. He glanced up. There was no recognition in his eyes before they closed in elegant acceptance. “He is lovely,” she murmured.

“Yes,” was all Calvario said, but the possessiveness and arrogance were unmistakable.

“Do you share?” she asked. She had heard the phrase used before, when one master or mistress evidently desired another’s companion.

Calvario’s eyes became guarded. “With special friends,” he answered carefully.

Jade laughed knowingly, as though she had really understood the reference. “But of course, Ruis,” she returned, then sighed and again stroked Sulu’s face. Again came the graceful acknowledgement, both of the compliment inherent in such a touch, and of her right to touch him. “Later this evening, then. Be sure to catch me before you leave.”

The easy smile returned. “I will be certain to do so, Doctor. My thanks.”

She had to admit, she did more watching of Calvario and Sulu than she did of the clients she was supposed to be observing. She noted that there were certain people who were more free in their admiration of Calvario’s pet than was usually allowed: one aging aristocrat actually stroked Sulu’s erection, plainly evident in the skin-hugging tights. Sulu’s reaction was to melt into the touch, sighing wordlessly, eyes closing in the same acceptance as of any other touch. Another man, a Fleet Admiral, came up behind him, grasping his waist, pulling Sulu hard against his crotch, bumping and grinding obscenely. Sulu obligingly bent from the waist, parting his legs, flexing his knees to thrust back, writhing in tandem. A third approached him with bold assurance, slipping a hand behind his head, kissing him harshly, the other hand pinching Sulu’s nipple. Sulu’s mouth opened and he pressed his torso into the rough caress. Finally a fourth man came up, speaking to Calvario in hushed tones. As they talked, Calvario casually reached down to Sulu’s kneeling form, pushing his head forward until his face was directly in front of the other man’s hips. Sulu leaned forward, pressing his parted lips to the material of the man’s slacks. He mouthed the obviously growing erection. Then Jade saw something pass from the man’s hand to Calvario’s. Calvario uttered one word, which Jade could not make out, and Sulu grasped the cloth in his teeth, parting the seam, letting his tongue lap at hard, pulsing flesh. Calvario positioned himself between the cocksucking and the rest of the room, so Jade saw no more. When the man finally moved away, Calvario bent down for a moment. When she again saw Sulu, his lips were swollen, his cheeks flushed, his eyes much too bright.

Four times more she watched the ritual. Three of those times, Sulu and the man actually moved into a curtained alcove, Calvario graciously handing over the leather leash. She was never in close enough proximity to catch either what was being exchanged, nor the word Calvario spoke to Sulu, though it was obviously giving him permission to go ahead with the act. Joshua was getting ready to leave, and Calvario still hadn’t approached her with a time and place to consult with Sulu. It was frustrating, and if more than that, Jade freely admitted she wasn’t ready to face it.

He was again engaged in Calvario’s private transaction and Joshua had gone to retrieve their coats when Calvario finally started moving toward her.

“Doctor Han, leaving so soon?” Calvario asked.

She smiled. “I’m afraid so. My escort has appointments in the morning and it’s already late.”

“Must you leave with him? I can see you safely home.” He leaned over, speaking confidentially. “I really am in need of your skills, Jade.”

His use of her given name had always been an indication that he wasn’t going to take no for an answer. She sighed sympathetically. “Let me talk to him, Ruis,” she answered in the same quiet tone. He nodded, and she walked across the large foyer.

Joshua was turning from the butler with their coats. “Are you ready to go, Jade?” he asked.

“If you don’t mind, I’d like to stay. I can find my own way home,” she replied. He glanced up, over her shoulder.

“Pretty fancy way home, Doctor,” he said with a grin.

“Mr. Calvario wants a follow up on the work I did for him,” she told him truthfully. She put her fingers to her lips, then pressed them to his. “See you at the clinic later.”

“Will you give me juicy details?”

“Where’s your professional integrity?”

“Right where it belongs. It will be anonymous.”

He was grinning so mischievously that Jade couldn’t help but smile. “We’ll see, Josh.”

“Okay. Good luck, Jade.”

Calvario piloted the luxurious aircar himself. This would have been surprising to most people, but Jade was well aware that Ruis had once been a needle racer, and racers tended to want to fly their own machines. Sulu knelt on the small deck beside him, his head resting on Calvario’s thigh. Jade herself sat in one of the side seats.

The ride back to Rio de Janeiro was silent, and when Calvario set the car down on his private platform, several servants came up to the vehicle. One immediately took Sulu’s leash and led him away, while others took charge of the car itself. Another handed Calvario a statboard, which he waved away. He graciously extended his arm to Jade, and walked with her to the short stairway that led to the deck of his penthouse.

“I’m glad you agreed to come, Jade,” he said. “As you no doubt observed, Sulu’s chemical use is becoming problematic.” Jade hadn’t, but she nodded noncommittally. “What I would like is for you to speak with him, and evaluate the seriousness of the relapse. Then, of course, you can recommend a course of treatment, if such is warranted.”

They stepped in off of the deck and Calvario gestured her to one of the low couches that decorated the living room. As she took a seat, he went to the built in bar. A few moments later, he returned with a glass of aromatic scotch for himself, and cup of ginger tea. At her smile, he said, “I remember that you do not indulge in alcoholic beverages.”

“Thank you, Ruis,” she said, and sipped the tea. It was, as expected, excellent. “I did notice,” she continued, “that he didn’t seem to recognize me.”

Calvario shook his head. “The chemicals,” he sighed. “They have been interfering with his memory of late.” Before she could ask, he went on. “Much of the time it is short term memories, such as who he met yesterday. Sometimes it is less recent, as with you, Doctor.” He set his glass down on one of the lacquered tables. “I know he has a supply other than what I provide…”

“Ruis,” Jade interrupted. “Five years ago I warned you that he would not be able to use chemicals even recreationally. For you to be providing him with anything…”

“I know, I know,” Calvario replied with a chagrined smile. “But he is so… tempting under the influence of certain, shall we say, enhancers?”

Jade sighed, disapproving but understanding. He certainly was tempting, under any circumstances.

“Be that as it may,” Calvario said, “I need to know how far his addictions have progressed, and how difficult it would be to remedy the situation.”

“I’ll be happy to evaluate him for you,” Jade returned. “But I need, at this point, to remind you that I won’t participate in keeping him a healthy junkie. Any therapy I recommend will be designed to cure him of his addictions, then keep him chemical free – no matter how tempting any other course may be.” Calvario shrugged. For some reason, it made Jade bristle. “If I’m to be his doctor through this process,” she said sternly, “I’ll have to have your word that you won’t start feeding him again.”

“Evaluation first, please, Doctor,” Calvario stated. “Perhaps you will find my concern an overreaction. Should you decide he needs your services, we can negotiate then.”

Jade didn’t particularly like the word ‘negotiate,’ but she nodded. Calvario stood. “Come then. He should be in his rooms by now. I’ll take you to him.”

Jade didn’t remind him that she remembered very well where Sulu’s rooms were. She simply rose, placing her cup on the table, and followed.

Sulu was reclining, eyes closed, on the large bed that dominated his room. His hair was still braided, but the make-up had been washed away. He wore a belted robe of midnight blue. “Sulu,” Calvario called softly.

The almond eyes opened languidly, the rich, deep voice no more than a hoarse whisper. “Ruis,” he said, and raised one lethargic arm in a half-gesture of welcome.

“There’s someone come to see you, my beloved,” Cal told him. The unfocused gaze moved from Calvario and came to rest on her.

“Pretty,” he murmured, then smiled. It wasn’t the gracious but vacant acknowledgement of the party, but the night and sunshine, heart-stopping expression that still haunted her dreams. “Geisha?” he wondered.

“No, pet,” Calvario corrected. “She is a doctor.”

For a moment, a shadow passed over Sulu’s eyes, and Jade was sure he shuddered. It had taken her more than a month to overcome his distrust and fear of physicians five years ago. It seemed little had changed.

“Leave us now, Ruis,” she said. Calvario nodded, and turned. As he reached the door, he called, “Behave, Sulu.”

“I always do,” Sulu muttered almost inaudibly to the closing door. Then he moved, unbearably graceful, stretching out his thin, lithe body. “Spine or heart, Doctor?” he asked softly.

Jade closed her eyes. No, nothing had changed. She remembered the action, the certainty that she had come, like so many of Calvario’s ‘doctors,’ to administer the chemicals which kept him docile, or aroused, the stimulants or soporifics or other concoctions to force his body into the behaviors Calvario wanted. “I’m not here for that, Sulu,” she said. “I’m Jade Han. I was hoping you’d remember me.”

He blinked, raising his head to look at her. “You were at the party,” he finally said.

“Yes,” she confirmed, and took several steps closer to the bed. “But we’ve met before that.”

The eyes narrowed. “I don’t remember,” he said at last.

“I know. It’s all right,” she assured. “I’d like to talk to you,” she went on, “if that’s all right with you.”

He smiled again. “Cal said to behave,” he reminded her.

She smiled back. “So he did.” She indicated the bed. “May I sit with you?”

His smile brightened, but his eyes became more dull, if that was possible. “Just sit, Doctor?”

“For now.” She took a seat and he immediately crawled sensually over to her. His hands reached for her thigh, and she covered his fingers with her own, stopping their movement. “Do you know what chemicals you took tonight?”

He froze for barely an instant. If she hadn’t been watching closely, she would not have seen it. “What Cal gave me,” he murmured, his fingers again beginning to glide over her. Again she stopped him

“Which was?” she prompted.

“Emerald. Fireice. Dream. Rigellian. I think that’s all,” he answered, and raised his head to press his lips to the skin of her throat.

Jade allowed the kiss, even stroking his forehead, then carefully moved him away. “I’ve never heard of dream,” she said. “Is it something new?”

“Uh huh,” he replied, leaning forward again. She avoided his caress.

“What does dream do?”

“Makes everything unreal,” he told her, then sat back on his heels. “Don’t you want me?” he pouted.

“Not that way, Sulu,” she began.

“Liar,” he muttered.

She took a deep breath. “Well, yes, you’re right. I do want you, but I’m a doctor and it would be unethical.”

“Doesn’t bother the others,” he added in the same tone. Jade was silent, remembering that he had also expected to service her five years ago, and her own shock and outrage when she had realized why. Suddenly, he stared at her, almost curious, struggling with something. “I’ve heard that before,” he said, and his voice was rougher, less detached.

“Yes, Sulu,” she confirmed. “I’ve said that to you before.”

“I know you.” It was whispered fear and plea and confused certainty.

Jade smiled gently. “Yes. You do.”

He continued to stare, and his hand reached for her face, tentative and unsteady. She sat perfectly still, meeting his eyes with passive welcome. When his fingertips touched her cheek, she slowly brought her hand up, softly returning the caress.

“Jade?”

“Yes, Sulu.”

Tears abruptly filled his dark eyes and he was in her arms before she was entirely aware he had moved. He held onto her with fierce emotion, though she couldn’t tell if it was joy or relief or terror. He was trembling, his fingers clutching at her, and she stroked his head, soothing as she would a child. He sobbed, his face buried against her neck for what seemed like a very long time. When he finally relaxed, she gently pulled away, letting him wipe his eyes with the backs of his hands. When he spoke, his voice was childlike and full of sorrow.

“Where did you go?” he asked. “Why did you leave me?”

She considered her answer very carefully. “I didn’t mean to leave you,” she replied. “You were cured of your addictions…” He frowned. “I thought you were cured,” she went on, “and Ruis said he had no more need of my services.”

“I needed you,” he muttered, and Jade realized that he had, in the short time she’d been with him, said four things that could be considered defiant or argumentative – and all four times he had said them in exactly the same tone of voice. It was an important difference from the last time she’d interacted with him. Five years ago, he’d been terrified of incurring Calvario’s anger, filled with dread when the agony of withdrawal had brought him to sullen defiance, irrational disobedience, and even blatant rage at his owner. Now, it seemed, there was a part of him that retained those emotions, even if the expression of them was carefully timed and muted.

What was troubling, however, was the fact that, after having made such comments, his behavior remained the same, mindless sensuality.

Or, she corrected herself, the obviously frightened child who actually remembers me. She quickly filed the information, and returned her attention to Sulu.

“I’m sorry,” she acknowledged. “I trusted Ruis. I should have known better.” His eyes flashed at her for this heresy, but he said nothing. “He’s worried about you,” she continued. “That’s why I’m here.”

“Worried? About me?” The sensuality was back as he chuckled, tossing his head back as if his carefully plaited hair was working loose. “I can’t imagine why. I’m not losing my touch.” He gave a very attractive pout. “Except with you, Doctor.” He leaned forward, trailing his fingers once again along her thigh.

“He thinks you use too many chemicals,” Jade explained, ignoring the shivers of pleasure his touch gave.

“Then why does he give me so many?” Sulu returned with a teasing grin that clearly said ‘what’s the real reason?’

"You tell me,” Jade rejoined in the same tone. Sulu’s expression changed to frank amazement.

“To feel good, of course,” he said. “Why else?” His gaze became slightly suspicious and Jade realized his unfocused detachment was, at least partially, a well-rehearsed act. “He’s very good to me,” Sulu continued. “I have everything I could ever want or need.”

“And that includes the chemicals,” Jade responded, watching him carefully.

“Yes. Why shouldn’t it?”

Again she said, “you tell me.”

“They’re not illegal,” he began. “I’m a consenting adult. I’m here because I want to be here, I take what I want to take, what Cal gives me – ” Jade pretended not to notice the quick amendment. “ – for my pleasure and for his…”

“And for others?” Jade cut in.

“That’s business.” was the automatic and suddenly cold response.

The change was startling and professional alarm bells went off in Jade’s head. She responded calmly, showing none of her concern. “He sells you?”

“Rents,” was Sulu’s comment, said with a caustic show of teeth.

“How much?”

“You couldn’t afford it.”

“Pet, is that any way to speak to a guest?” Calvario’s voice said from the doorway. Sulu’s amused bitterness dissolved into another charming pout.

“We were just bantering, Cal,” he said. “Your pretty lady doctor isn’t interested in my usual talents.”

Calvario frowned. “I thought I told you to behave,” he stated.

Sulu smiled at him, a wicked, seductive smile. “You didn’t say how,” he teased. There was a moment of tension as their gazes remained locked. Then Sulu’s tongue moved over his lips, slowly, sensually, and, Jade was certain, completely unconsciously. It had the same effect on Calvario as it did on her, and the older man relented.

“Sometimes, beloved, you are totally incorrigible,” he said. Sulu smiled again, blowing Calvario a kiss. Cal turned to Jade. “Are you finished here, Doctor?”

“For the time being,” Jade replied, and rose from the bed. Sulu’s eyes followed her. “I will want to talk more later,” she told him.

“Just talk, I know,” he rejoined, his tone and expression crestfallen, but there was a gleam in his dark eyes. She moved toward the door and Sulu called, “Cal?” His voice sounded plaintive.

“Not tonight, pet,” was the response. “Sleep well.”

Jade couldn’t be certain, but she thought she saw a fleeting look of sheer relief cross Sulu’s face before the door closed behind her.

“Well?” Calvario asked the moment they were away from the door. Jade pursed her lips and continued walking toward the living room.

“There’s definitely a problem in need of treatment, Ruis,” she said. “But I’m not entirely certain it has much to do with the chemical usage.” She saw the smile of relief cross Calvario’s eyes, and frowned. “Don’t misunderstand me. The chemical use is undoubtedly a contributing factor, aggravating the problem if nothing else.” She took a seat on the couch, noting that Calvario went to get her a fresh cup of tea. “His condition is much more serious than it was five years ago,” she went on. “I warned you then about your treatment of him.”

Calvario returned to the couch, setting her tea on the coffee table. “Yes, Doctor, I recall the arguments,” he said. “We disagree profoundly on the definition and nature of ‘abuse.’ He is my lover, my most valued companion…”

“Your treasured pet, yes, Ruis, I know,” Jade interrupted, sipping her tea. “But your treatment of him – note I’m not insisting on calling it abuse – has engendered a clear and psychologically unstable disorder, easily recognizable to the trained eye.” She set the cup down, looking him straight in the eye. “You say his behavior has been erratic, his memory effected. What you have attributed to an over-use of chemicals is, in fact, a manifestation of multiple personalities.”

Calvario blinked, his posture straightening in obvious surprise. “Multiple…” he repeated.

“The reason he doesn’t seem to remember things from one situation to the next is that he doesn’t,” Jade explained. “The ‘Sulu’ who is your devoted pet is not the same ‘Kam’ who whores for you.” Calvario began a protest and she cut him off. “Yes, I saw it, Ruis. The flirtatious sexual toy is not the same person as the strung-out junkie. And none of them are the same as the frightened child or the defiant young man who challenges you when he thinks you’re not looking.”

“But… how does such a thing occur?” Calvario asked. “What would cause this – “ He searched for the word. “ – disorder?”

Jade looked down at her hands, then reached again for her tea before answering. “The generally accepted cause is severe and prolonged psychological trauma. This disorder is usually seen as a result of physical and sexual abuse.”

“You blame me?” Calvario began indignantly.

“I’m blaming no one yet,” Jade returned. “I’ll have to do a much more thorough evaluation before I could even begin to assess cause or assign responsibility.” Calvario stood and began pacing the room. “You need to know that this reaction is seen only in those who are unusually intelligent or creative. The idea is that the original personality simply cannot cope with what is happening to him. In a less intelligent or creative person, such trauma would likely cause complete schizophrenic withdrawal or even actual physical death. But the creative, the highly intelligent person finds a way to continue to function. He creates a new personality, one that will hold the memories that are too terrible to face, so that the original personality goes on without that knowledge.” She paused, waiting for Calvario to face her. The anguish in his eyes was plain, and she couldn’t help but feel sympathy for him. Reluctantly, she went on. “If there is continued trauma, or if a new trauma is experienced, other personalities can be created in the same way, with the same goal. If this is done enough, very often the original personality becomes either drab and colorless, or confused, scattered. There have been cases in which it happened so often there was no original personality left.” She saw the alarm, and quickly continued. “I don’t think that’s the case for Sulu. I believe his original personality is still very much intact. I simply don’t know which one it is.”

Calvario again sat down, this time taking Jade’s hands, searching her face with earnest desperation. “You must believe me, Jade, I would never intentionally harm him,” he said. “I have done nothing that was intended as trauma, nothing that I would have believed was anything close to terrible or unbearable for him. You must believe that!”

Jade faced him squarely. “There is one thing that will make me believe it,” she told him.

“What can I do, what must I do?” he pleaded.

“Give me total control over his therapy. Don’t question anything I do while you’re in his presence, and follow my suggestions as to the way you interact with him while he’s under my care.” She saw the hesitation and withdrew her hands. “I’ll gladly explain what I’m doing, Ruis, and why I see the need for it, but it can’t be in front of my patient, and I will have to have your word that, whether you agree or not, you won’t interfere.” She took a deep breath. “And we’re not talking a few months. This kind of therapy usually requires years.”

It was Calvario’s turn to take a deep breath. “You ask much of me, Doctor.”

She nodded. “Yes, that’s true.”

“May I make some requirements of you in return?”

“That depends on what they are,” she replied.

He stood, looming over her. “One, you reside here. If you are to have control of his therapy, I will have you available day or night.”

“That actually seems advisable,” Jade agreed. “It will take me a few weeks to get out of my other obligations…”

Calvario waved his hand. “I will arrange all that. Two, your ‘suggestions’ as to my interactions with him will never include forbidding me to see him, to make love to him.”

“That might be necessary for short periods of time, depending on the nature of the causes we’re dealing with,” Jade rejoined. She watched as Calvario’s face darkened, but he was silent, considering.

“Very well, but never for more than a week at a time.”

“Ruis, I can’t guarantee…”

“I will not be separated from him!” he thundered.

Jade stood, gently touching the taller man’s shoulder. “I understand your feelings for him,” she tried to soothe, “and I certainly won’t recommend any separation unless it’s absolutely necessary, and then only for the minimum amount of time. But I won’t make you promises I can’t keep, Ruis. We have to be honest with each other if Sulu is to be helped.”

Calvario’s hand briefly caressed hers as he calmed himself. “Yes, of course. I do trust you, Jade.” He straightened. “Third, if I am to give you complete control as long as he is in therapy, I must have control over when that therapy ends. If I think it does more harm than good, I will ask you to cease, and you must agree to abide by my decision.”

“With discussion, Ruis?” Jade pressed.

He paused, then said, reluctantly, “With discussion, yes. But the final decision is mine.”

“Agreed,” she said.

There was a long silence. Jade drank her tea, Calvario stood, staring out the window behind her. Finally, he said, softly, “How do we begin?”

“First, I need some idea of his original personality,” she replied. “Is there anyone I can talk to who knew him before… well, before he met you?” she held up a hand. “And I’m not accusing you of anything, Ruis. It’s simply that he’s known you since adolescence. If there were signs of the disorder before then, I need to know about it. I need to find out what the original trauma was.”

Calvario pursed his lips. “Cobra,” he said at last.

“Cobra?” Jade repeated.

“A racer, Sulu’s childhood friend. We have not seen him in many years, but perhaps I can locate him.”

“Cobra is his racing handle, I presume?”

“Yes.”

“And his name?”

“Jeremy Paget.”

Lane Gage, Dealer Extraordinaire for the Haven Trading Empire, pursed his lips, again scanning the message that had just come from the Clave:

Gage,
This is a forwarded message, at our Patron’s request.
Le Roi Hadji

“Dealer Gage,
I am attempting to locate a former racer and client of yours, one Cobra; given name, Jeremy Paget. This is a matter of personal concern between us. Any information you can provide regarding his whereabouts will be amply remunerated, per our usual agreements. As soon as possible will only increase my gratitude.
Bottom Line,
Ruis Calvario”

Gage sighed, stroking one finger along his neatly trimmed beard. What could Calvario want with Cobra? As far as he knew, they hadn’t had any contact in six years, not since the young pilot had been a kid of fifteen. The only connection between them was Kamikaze, and if it had something to do with Calvario’s pet…

He won’t want to know. He washed his hands of that mess six years ago. Hasn’t washed his heart, though. And do you really want to go ripping open that particular wound? It’s his decision, you’re not his real father. No, but who put him back together when Kamikaze became Calvario’s cloistered whore? And how much did he help you when Kamikaze became Calvario’s private cloistered whore? After he beat the shit out of you for patronizing Kamikaze’s Hotel business in the first place. He really won’t want to know.

“Shit,” he said aloud, then thumbed his intercom. “Hey, Tomor.”

“Yeah, Boss,” his security advisor responded.

“Let me know when Cobra gets in. I’ve got a message for him.”

The dark, slender needle slid gracefully into Leather’s open hanger. From the control booth, Gage watched as the doors closed behind it and waited as the hangar was pressurized. The pilot who emerged from the small ship was young, just twenty-one years old. He was over six feet tall, and his frame, while slender, was well-muscled. His dark, tightly curled hair was worn short, as was his carefully trimmed beard and mustache. A dark red gem glinted from his left ear lobe, the mahogany color of his skin accented by it. He moved with jaunty assurance, smiling, talking easily with the crew who took his environ suit and gave him the flask of bright orange anti-rad which was mandatory after a needle run. Cobra. Jeremy Paget. One of his best pilots. One of his favorite lovers.

Tomor Rand, as tall as Cobra but more heavily built, walked across the deck to him. Gage saw him point up to the control booth, and Cobra looked up. Gage gestured: my office, five minutes. Cobra nodded.

Gage was seated at his desk, booted feet up, when Cobra sauntered in. “You wanted somethin’ Lane?” the young man asked as he leaned over the desk to plant a warm kiss on Gage’s cheek.

“Always,” Gage replied with just enough innuendo to make his young lover smile. “Sit.”

Cobra took a seat on the leather couch on the other side of the desk. “What’s up?”

Gage swiveled the message screen, keying it to replay. He watched as Cobra’s face went from curious to attentive – then to bitter anger and finally cold disdain.

“So,” Gage said, studying his immaculately manicured fingernails, “Do I collect Calvario’s unfailingly generous remuneration?”

“What does that bastard want with me?” Cobra growled.

“He obviously didn’t say,” Gage returned. “Though since he says it’s personal…” He let the implication drop.

“Sulu,” was Cobra’s whispered response.

“That would be my guess.”

“Damn it!”

“And that would be my reaction.”

Cobra stood, pacing to the door before turning around to face Gage. “It’s been six years, Lane. What do I have to do with him after six years?”

Lane stood, crossing the small room to place a gentling hand on Cobra’s shoulder. “There’s only one way to find out, Jeremy,” he said, giving the TerAfrican's name its Havani pronounciation; Jeh-REM-myah. He didn’t have to search the chocolate brown eyes to see the anguish.

“How can I?” Cobra rasped.

“I can be with you if that would make it easier,” Gage offered.

A grin that was more than half grimace crossed the young features. “It would be the only way to keep me from killing the son-of-a-bitch on sight.”

Gage grinned back. “Through a viewscreen?”

“I’d find a way.”

“I’ll bet you would.” Gage reached up to caress Cobra’s face. “Come on, zevran, let’s call the Penthouse.” He grinned again. “Collect.”

Continued in Part Two

Return to Valjiir Stories

Return to Valjiir Continum